10 Craziest Spots In WWE Backlash History
Anything 'Extreme Rules' can do...
Backlash has never been anywhere close to the top of WWE's pay-per-view pile. There always seemed to be a bit of post-WrestleMania fatigue in the air by the time the event rolled around - historically, the event was held in April - resulting it what sometimes appeared to be weak cards with forgettable matches.
The company solidified its second-tier status by cancelling Backlash in 2010 and replacing it with the "edgier" Extreme Rules.
And yet, going back through the eleven years of Backlash events, it's hard not to be impressed with how many standout moments the PPV has produced. Again, maybe it's due to how undervalued the event is, but a lot of these highlights still tend to fly under the radar, even for hardcore fans.
In honour of the event's return following a six year hiatus, let's take a look at the biggest and baddest spots in Backlash history. 'Anything Extreme Rules can do' and all that...
10. Chris Benoit's Diving Headbutt Off The Ladder (2005)
It may be uncomfortable for some people to watch now, knowing what we do about Chris Benoit's fate and the part his head injuries may have played in it, but back in 2005, this was simply another case of The Rabid Wolverine capping off of an already stellar performance.
The Edge vs. Benoit feud never really gets the praise it deserves these days, partially because it involves the WWE's own He Who Shall Not Be Named and partially because the rivalry suffered from a few abrupt delays. But they always had great matches together, perhaps none more intense than this Last Man Standing bout.
In an attempt to recapture one of the most memorable moments he ever had in WCW - when he dove headfirst off a ladder onto Jeff Jarrett at Starrcade '99 - Benoit once against climbed up the rungs and sought to put his foe away using his skull.
The headbutt is oddly beautiful to watch. The way he just leans his way off the ladder, arms outstretched, so determined yet so effortless...right until he crashes onto the mat and begins writhing around like someone just stabbed him in both nipples.
Setting aside all of the bad things that would stem from spots like this, you have to admire the way Benoit put his body on the line.